AFRIKA! AFRIKA!

From Wednesday 23rd July until Saturday 6th September 2008 The Trafford Centre will be pumping out a synthesis of African athletic and living art, like a heart that has found it's rhythm.
Over a 100 artists, dancers, singers and musicians will be demonstrating their unique and special talents.
These artists were discovered across 17 different African nations, speaking 23 different dialects from a multitude of different religious backgrounds, so this shows just what creative combination AFRIKA! AFRIKA! has assembled.

Promising to deliver an African journey through the human arts, it is an event that many will be looking forward to.
Bringing together life-affirming exuberance, this is as much an expression of the continent's vitality at odds, and in defiance of, the political machinations which pigment much of our Western impressions of the Third World.

AFRIKA! AFRIKA! will feature a unique and extraordinary combination of dance and acrobatics, high wire artists from Tanzania - not to mention master contortionists, hip-hop break dancers and an exhilirating Gumboot dance. Audiences' breathes will be caught in their throats.

Times of performances are as follows - No performances on Mondays, Tuesdays - 8pm, Wednesdays - 3pm & 8pm, Thursdays 3pm & 8pm, Fridays - 8pm, Saturdays - 3pm & 8pm, Sundays - 1pm & 5.30pm.

Manbags and Gladrags

It’s not often a man get’s the opportunity to discuss handbags - or should I say man-bags - and having returned to the north after a 7 year hiatus, I definitely thought I wouldn’t see them up here.

But as Dylan stated "The Times They Are A-Changin" and Manchester stores are stocking them precisely because someone, somewhere, is buying them. It’s simple economics.

Fashion is a great thing. It clothes us on the whole and, when donning a great suit, empowers us beyond our everyday means.

Women have known this for years, as did Mr Benn who used outfits to transform into anybody he wanted to be.
It’s all image, and the power is merely skin deep, but the point is we buy into it and it’s big business.

And now, it appears, the focus has shifted towards the other half of the population. The half that traditionally spent very little sums of money on accessories. The fashion industry noted this, and like a spurned lover thirsty for revenge, it has turned it's full attention to men and decided they must PAY. Or something along those lines.

And so it is with the latest fad - the man-bag. No homo sapien is complete without a bag the size of Santa's sack to carry his gadgets around in. A common sight nowadays in the city.

Admittedly, it’s going to be a long, slow process for fashion to seep through and penetrate the layers of ideological rock between the catwalk and the factory floor.
Perhaps the man-bag is here to stay, settling finally at the bourgois layers but I don’t believe it will make an appearance on a council estate any time soon. That’s just my own observation.

Given it’s popularity amongst men that moisturise, perhaps it’s slogan, to paraphrase Marx and Engels, should be “metrosexuals of the world, unite”.

You’ll definitely be in an exclusive club carrying one of these around. I don’t see miners or builders taking their packed lunches to work in them any time soon. But maybe archaic attitudes towards machismo take longer to iron out in some people and eventually, we'll all be donning them.
Wherever aesthetics is prized – sports stars, celebrities, affluent city workers, then this is the accessory de jour.
It’s the opposite of understated style, mind. Elegance is about subtlety and nothing advertises your assets like a man-bag.
I can already see the sudden surge of men reporting their handbags stolen. Mascara running from their eyes, chiselled jawlines contorted in a Droopy Dog scowl, crying about the expensive makeup they could never hope to replace.

Crime will increase and the Home Office will be under additional pressure to tackle it. It's the dawn of a new age alright.

Once upon a time the pockets in a pair of jeans was ample space enough for a man to carry all his belongings and tackle the day like a demin clad Tarzan. The man-bag is a sign of an age when Jane is left to fend for herself because Tarzan is too busy filing his nails and far too pretty to risk grappling a hungry leopard.
Fashion has absorbed us all in and tapped into a new market.

Perhaps, I’m being too critical of the man-bag. It's not entirely offensive and does have a practical purpose, even though it sounds off about it with much aplomb.

But it boils down to the traditional makeup of what it means to be a man:

Fashionably low-key and laissez-faire, traditionally understated and classic with minimal effort and no extravagances - it's what has allowed Roberto Cavalli, Hugo Boss and Giorgio Armani to corner the market for guys.

Could you imagine Bogart or Cagney carrying a man-bag?

My own opinion is that men's fashion has always been about off-the-cuff cool. We don't want our identities challenged but reaffirmed time and time again - which is why the question "Was he better than me?" is so often on our lips. Know this and we're going to get along just fine.

Perceptively, it has the subtlety of a bag-pipe with all the noise and clamour and effort.

It screams of "I'm trying too hard".

And a guy who is trying too hard looks like, well, a guy who is trying too hard.

Say what you will, it'll certainly be a piece of man-kit that will have people talking and opinion divided.

The man-bag - Coming Soon to a Boyfriend near you.

Of Wine and Men

A man goes through many stages in his life; the pre-adolescent tree climbing, den builder; the angsty adolescent with bad acne riding his surfboard on the giant hormone wave; followed by the late-teen punk or cock-a-snoot cool guy, cigarettes, girls, denims and little else besides.

Eventually, all these guises are to be superseded by the career-driven yuppie with money and mortgages on his mind. Such is the way of the world.

One thing that never changed with me however, despite the haircuts and the musical tastes, is how much I liked red wine (never been a fan of white). Being Italian, I grew up knowing that a dinner at the table without a bottle of wine was as incomplete as Joanie without Chachi. A meal was made or lost by the wine that washed it down.

Therefore, I couldn’t enjoy a meal without a glass of red wine.

My grandmother used to insist upon telling me that wine “gave you blood”. It’s an Italian saying which is to be interpreted literally in meaning – a glass of wine adds a shot of blood to your system. Blood being the elixir of life, you can gauge the importance of a tipple.

But there my interest with wine ended. I try and keep things simple, so knowing I liked red and knowing I didn’t like white, was the extent of my knowledge.

I preferred it that way – the reality is that I’d love to be impassioned about wine and know what I’m talking about but, like many people, I never knew who to turn to for advice.
My ignorance was a comfort blanket from facing this dilemma.
Which is why the world of wine tasting always struck fear into my bosom.

All that changed recently, when I had the opportunity to spend some time with someone who could distinguish the apples in a dry white and taste the oak in a red. This chap would make recommendations such as ”chilled fino is the best all-rounder sherry on the market” and sound like he knew what he was talking about. Opening up his world to mine, and using plain English, I began to understand, slowly, the nuances of wine. I began to relax and appreciate it. I became comfortable around grapes and barrels and the process of wine-making easier to comprehend. (for those Italians out there, you may share a childhood memory with me of seeing an uncle or your own father even, squashing grapes using his feet – the traditional method of wine pressing – which may account for the large-scale conversion of Italian 20-somethings from wine to lager).

Understanding wines requires meticulous research, a knowledgeable insider to show you the ropes, a patience to sit through waffle and an ability to spend many an hour sniffing and gargling wine and not actually drinking it.
At times it felt like scaling Dante’s layered Heaven trying to get at the summit.

Enjoying wine, however, is less taxing. It's a case of picking a vintage you like and if it's good enough, sticking with it.

After decrypting the jargon and finally getting an opportunity to drink, I did discover that there is a wealth of information out there for the non-cognoscenti from books to the ubiquitous Google search to help you out.
With barbecues and dinner dates to go on, choosing a good wine is important. A bad wine can sour a good meal, so with the maxim “white for fish, red for meat and champagne for hot tubs” I’ve discovered a few sites which list some decent vino for you to enjoy (bear in mind, these lists change yearly).
Grab a few off the list, stick them in your wine rack and come party time, deliver the killer bottle with a knowing smile. Easy peasy. Things that from a distance appear difficult, are quite simple close up.

Here’s the Observer list of great vintages for 2007.

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/foodmonthly/story/0,,2172443,00.html

And for those interested - a history of wine is available to read on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_wine

Manchester Jazz Festival

Manchester has been possessed by the spirits of Chet Baker and Duke Ellington this week and there’s not a priest in the city that can exorcise it.
For those already in the know, Manchester’s Jazz Festival has taken over the city. This is the 13th edition of this musical showcase of sax power.
An amalgam of Northwest and worldwide talent, this festival features 60 bands in 10 venues, day and night until the 26th.

Performers such as The Troubadours featuring Kirsty Almeida; the Tom Sykes Quartet, Alex Douglas and Steve Grossman – the US Sax player from Miles Davis’ late 60’s jazz-fusion band - will be out there pouring sweet musical syrup into your ears, making your head swing to the heights and grooves of Bossa and bebop.

As a non-smoker it’s the only time I’d endorse lifting the smoking ban, purely because I grew up with images of smoky joints and trumpets; the two seemed as necessarily accompanied as Sonny and Cher.

Conceived in New Orleans and moving up the Mississippi River to Memphis, St. Louis and finally Chicago -Jazz is an artistic phenomenon, weaving together African tribal music, French hornets and scales, African-American rhythms and a dash of myth and folklore.

Jazz, like no other music, offers unprecedented scope for improvisation, ad-libbing, and exploration of the human condition. Structure is torn apart and what remains is a free-flowing beat of the conscience. Jazz is perennially cool and never irrelevant. Unlike many musical styles, it transcends eras and is never a fad.

The Beat Generation couldn’t exist without it and much of our inspiring and prophetic literature would remain unwritten. That’s something you could never say about the Cheeky Girls or Britney.

The events and venues are scattered around the city, so whether you’re a real jazz fan or simply a jazz tourist, there will be something to entertain you – from photographic exhibitions of jazz history to jam sessions that you can join in.

If you get the opportunity get out here, don’t let it pass – head out to Manchester, a city that’s currently performing as a New Orleans drag act, and get your groove on.

“Why all the fuss?” you ask.
As Louis Armstrong once said, "If you gotta ask, you’ll never know"

Festival runs from 18th-26th July. For a programme visit www.manchesterjazz.com.

BodyWorlds 4 Exhibition

When this exhibition first came to Manchester I was in two minds to go see it. Gripped between an attraction to see something new and "controversial" and wondering whether I'd have the stomach for it.

I had read and seen many articles and TV clips of Professor Gunther von Hagens' pioneering work on plastination - halting decomposition and allowing human bodies to be preserved for medical studies and was always intrigued by it.

It was all impressive to the layman and to be honest a little morbid too. Obviously themes about death always seem to twang our mortality chords and it's not something many people fancy thinking about, letting alone surrounding themselves by it.

But death isn't the theme of this work and whether you believe in an after-life or not, you should definitely check it out.

Rather than pondering the big question of "What does it all mean?" etc, I found myself being amazed by the way we're formed -each specimen on display is arranged to show how our body dynamics operate, from the guitar player attempting a lick, to the "soccer" players leaping in the air kicking a ball. I began looking at these models like a mechanic views a car engine.

I was assured that every exhibit had, prior to his/her death, consented to allowing their body to be used for medical and scientific study. This point was underlined throughout this tour - in fact, at the end of the exhibit you can even sign up to allow your own body to be used as a canvass of human questioning and reasoning.

I declined, perhaps influenced by my own semi-religious upbringing of allowing one to return to nature etc.

But I will say, that it is thanks to exhibits like this that we gain a greater understanding about how we move, how we operate, how we are constructed and made, how our systems operate, how diseases devastate us and how we can cure them.

I'm personally going to stear clear of tackling any moral issues brought up by Professor von Hagens' work but judging by the popularity of his work amongst all sectors of society, we cannot ignore that it is important nonetheless.

This is something we should be exposed to from time to time - something to hold up a mirror to "what" we are ("who" we are is a topic theologians and philosophers are busy tackling).

I came away understanding my own body a little better and how I could improve it - it's limitations as well as it's ability to perform outside of them too.

BodyWorlds 4 Exhibition will be featured at the Museum of Science and Industry until the 17th August.

open late Thursday to Saturday until 9pm (last entry 8pm)
Tickets now available to buy online or Tel: 0871 231 0847
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Visit http://www.mosi.org.uk/whats-on/body-worlds-4 for further info.

The Real Summer Sports Story

As I myself begin preparations to compete in a triathlon this September, I've been casting an eye on Manchester's own Olympic superstar in the making, Victoria Pendleton to learn something from her performances. At least, that's the excuse I've been using.

Undoubtedly, the talk in Manchester may have been about the two Ronnies (Cristiano Ronaldo's will he-won't he's proposed move from Utd, and the optimistic bid by Utd's rivals City in attempting to reel in Ronaldinho), but the real story of the summer will be about Victoria's attempts at securing herself a gold in Beijing.
There will be something of a point to prove this August, as four years ago the Wythenshawe Wonder returned from Athens without the gold.
The 27 year old cyclist has since been dominating every event she has entered, winning a total of six world championship gold medals, including two on her home track in March.
As the red hot favourite for her event, the pressure will be on in front of the billions watching.
However, given her dedication to her training and going on her current form (no pun intended) there is little doubt that this eostrogen-laced rocket will triumph for Britain and more importantly, Manchester.

If you do get the opportunity, please check her out - this incredible athlete really has brought back the sex appeal into cycling and may motivate you to get on your bike (no pun intended). Getting your friends to join you and starting your own BMX gang may be taking things too far though....

A Beautiful Day Out Festival

Arley Hall, Cheshire - 12th July 2008

Music lovers are spoilt for choice with two all day festivals in the region (Summer in the Park being the other one). Pick of the day is this folk music picnic festival at the picturesque Arley Hall, just 30 mins from Manchester.

A talented and formidable line-up has been assembled for this gig, boasting : The Levellers, who are headlining the prestigious Cambridge Folk Festival two weeks later, Seth Lakeman, Dreadzones, 3 Daft Monkeys, an acoustic set from Chumbawamba and Nick Harper, the son of Manchester born music legend, Roy Harper. Let's hope the weather will be equally as great as the acts.

A BEAUTIFUL DAY OUT featuring...

THE LEVELLERS

SETH LAKEMAN

CHUMBAWAMBA
DREADZONE

NICK HARPER
3 DAFT MONKEYS

Tickets available online : http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F004053B7D65F77?camefrom=CFC_UK_BUYAT_pomaffiliate&brand=uk_partner;

or alternatively call 0844 847 2277

The Big Summer Six Pack Question

Summer is at last upon us and nothing signals the arrival of this warm season than the hordes of shirtless and oiled men who walk down our High Streets.

Forget the image of Glastonbury, beer gardens, girls in short skirts or the sight of BMX riding kids devouring Calypso lollipops on their summer holidays. Forget all that.

The champion icon of the British summer is now, without question, the Topless Male. He is now a species unto himself.
Speaking as one who’s body has lapsed into a state of catatonic atropism it may sound like Jealousy Herself rearing it’s head, but it is not.
I too, once ever so briefly, achieved what insiders in the business would call “developed abdominalis” and the rest of us merely a “six pack”.
My abdominal muscles were so solid, that even professedly heterosexual males would touch and think of the word “steel” (some would utter it aloud). And boy did it stroke my ego like a little girl would stroke her favourite kitten. And being on the whole human and male and full of testosterone, I would invite grown men, from time to time, to punch me in the stomach, as a demonstration of strength. Boys will be boys unfortunately and some will behave idiotically.
But still, even then, I largely kept my six pack under wraps, to be unleashed only in times of urgent necessity. I viewed my six pack, knowing how much effort went into obtaining it, not as a superficial mirror I could reflect my vanities upon, but as a byproduct of training my core muscles to improve my balance, and improve my training output. The fact there were lumps in the middle of my body was nice, but not the whole story.
Showing off is the preserve of the peacock and a peacock, though beautiful, is ultimately useless. It will not discover the cure for AIDS anytime soon.
Now, the big question of the summer, is not so much whether Big Brother has reached the apex of trashiness, nor whether the combination of a slowing housing market and rocketing oil prices will leave many people feeling the pinch. No, the question of the summer will be - is there far too much man-breast on the average street?
If you are a male who spends a lot of time in the gym, naturally I can understand your need to show off the fruits of your labour. I know that whilst a lot of people are safe in the comfy confines of their homes, you toil in a smelly gym with poor ventilation and rusty equipment, straining under the weight of gravity and your own ego.

No-one to say “well done son” or “my your handsome” etc. It sometimes feels like it’s all for nothing.
But I urge you, this summer leave the shirt on. Please.

Of course, many women will disagree with me on this issue. But shame on you - you're only encouraging this smorgasbord of man-flesh.

Then again, I really may be jealous after all...

El Grande Pablo

Another act this month whom I wish to feature is Pablo Francisco.
A brilliant young American comedian making his debut in the North West. Pablo Francisco has developed quite a cult following through his Myspace comedy page and his YouTube videos. An immense and original talent who combines stand up, impersonations and technical trickery. He hosts his own Special on “Comedy Central”, provides voices for “The Family Guy” and has appeared on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno”. An innovative entertainer with a very radiant future ahead of him.Pablo will be appearing at The Lowry, Salford Quays, on Thursday 3rd July at 20:00hrs.

Buy tickets online at: http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/artist/787269?camefrom=CFC_UK_BUYAT_pomaffiliate&brand=uk_partnerOr alternatively call: 0844 847 2277

The Month of Kylie

July should be rebudded - THE MONTH OF KYLIE

Like that spaceship in the movie Independence Day, you can’t help but notice the looming presence in Manchester of Kylie.
The pixie-sized pop princess who continues to defy age and preconceptions by gyrating like a Whirling Dervish on a pogo stick, is here once again to entertain and scintillate us - the masses of insatiable pop consumers.
Her appearances are always welcome these days, having overcome the big C with a smile and her hotpants intact.
Her on-off relationship with Olivier Martinez will not prove a distraction from the professional business of looking good whilst delivering her lyrics and dance routines to beat-perfect pop tunes.
And with 43 singles under her belt, there’ll be bound to be one in there that’ll have you delivering your own (slightly less impressive) dance routine.

She will be appearing at Manchester’s MEN Arena from 12th-19th JulyTickets on sale now. Ticket price £49.